CN103202040B

CN103202040B - The communication system of MBMS is provided via unicast or broadcast/multicast

Info

Publication number: CN103202040B
Application number: CN201180053794.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卡罗琳·贾科特; 林贞福; 乔纳森·刘易斯
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2010-11-08
Filing date: 2011-11-07
Publication date: 2016-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-07
Also published as: US20130294320A1; US11096148B2; KR20130121865A; GB2485237A; EP2638714B1; US11943789B2; GB201018855D0; EP2638714A1; EP3346736A1; CN103202040A; CN106332009A; US20210360588A1; EP3346736B1; WO2012063950A1; EP3911023A1; KR101506826B1; ES2671884T3; TR201809887T4; JP2013545322A

Abstract

The present invention describes communication system, and wherein, the number relying on instruction docking to conquer business mobile communication equipment interested is less than and is also above broadcast threshold and provides MBMS by unicast or broadcast/multi-casting communication.Also disclose the development that the number for mobile communication equipment interested in reception MBMS counts.

Description

Via unicast or broadcast/multicast The communication system of MBMS is provided

Technical field

The present invention relates to for providing the communication system and assembly thereof serviced to mobile device, particularly, Relate to provide communication system and the assembly of multimedia service.The present invention with via third generation partner Companion's plan Long Term Evolution (LTE) radiotechnics defined in (3GPP) normative document provides Multicast broadcast multimedia service (MBMS) is especially relevant, but this does not imply that it is exclusiveness, This long term evolution radio technology such as includes the latest edition of techniques below: TS 36.300 (" E-UTRA and E-UTRAN；Whole description；Stage 2 ")；TS 36.331(“E-UTRAN； Radio resource control protocol ")；TS 36.443(“E-UTRAN；M2 application protocol (M2AP)”)；TS 36.444(“E-UTRAN；M3 application protocol (M3AP) ")； And 23.246 (" MBMS；Framework and function describe ").

Background technology

Currently, as it implies, MBMS transmission in LTE use broadcast mode to Family equipment (such as, mobile phone/" cell phone " or other this communication equipments) provides multimedia Service and the content being associated.MBMS SFN (MBSFN) transmission using LTE realizes The broadcast of multimedia service, in MBSFN, multiple LTE base station (so-called " the node B of evolution " Or " eNB ") combine the MBMS data transmission on multiple community.In view of the complexity of broadcast mechanism, If there being the user interested of enough numbers, for given MBMS, it is only by network Make for ensureing that using broadcast transmission mode to provide services.Therefore, in this scene, if number Inadequate user have expressed concrete multimedia service interested, this multimedia service will not by There is provided.

Additionally, consider before for determining that in the concrete area of coverage, hope receives the user's of specific service The mechanism of number is coarse, it is intended to calculate the number of actual user interested less.This part is Because network can not a lot of equipment derivation from the area of coverage be used for determining whether its relative users wishes Hope the information needed of the service of reception.Therefore, even if the area of coverage exists the use interested of enough numbers Family uses broadcast transmission mode to ensure to provide multimedia service, but multimedia service is the most still hindered Only.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, it is desirable to provide solve or at least partly alleviate problem above communication system and Its assembly.

This clothes are provided to the user receiving concrete multimedia service interested in order to assist in ensuring that Business, and unrelated with the number of user interested, and the proposal that inventor considers is to allow spy Unicast communication is used to provide multimedia service under fixed condition.Specifically, when user's interested Number (such as, does not ensure to use broadcast transmission mode to provide many matchmakers less than concrete threshold value under it The threshold value of body service) time, it is provided that via the transmission of unicast communication, and when user's interested When number is higher than this threshold value, it is provided that via multicast or the transmission of broadcast communication.

But, the realization of this proposal can not be ignored, in part because for interested in it The number of user under threshold value (less than this threshold value, it is believed that multicast transmission is unworthy) MBMS, currently without allowing to provide the mechanism of unicast transmission to mobile communication equipment.

In one embodiment, the invention provides in a communications system (by its corresponding assembly) The method performed, comprises determining that in the area of coverage of MBMS, has indicated reception The number of the mobile communication equipment that MBMS is interested；Result and predetermined threshold (example will be determined As, such a threshold value: in this threshold value, it is believed that broadcast and/or multi-casting communication are acceptable) Compare；And rely on relatively to come to provide MBMS by unicast or broadcast/multicast.

Such as, if comparing discovery to determine that result is less than (or being at least not more than) this threshold value, permissible MBMS is provided by clean culture.If comparing discovery, to determine that result is more than (or the least In) this threshold value, then can provide MBMS by broadcast or multicast.

For the ease of providing unicast communication, inventor also determines the number of user interested with network Mode express and be markedly improved.Specifically, inventor has been developed over a kind of method, the party Method allows the network unit count not only to connection (or having connection connection at reasonable time), Also to residing in the area of coverage but stand-by unit count.

According to an aspect of the invention, it is provided a kind of mobile communication equipment for communication system, Described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described Mobile communication equipment includes: calling mechanism, for described mobile communication equipment is registered in base station； Idle mode operation device, for working at the idling mode, under described idle pulley, described Mobile communication equipment is registered in described base station, but does not have the connection connection to described base station；Determine Device, for determining the mark wanting operational MBMS；And instruction device, work as institute State and determine when device has determined to operational described MBMS, for indicating to described base station Described MBMS is interested in receiving；Wherein, it is in described sky when described mobile communication equipment During not busy pattern, the operation of described instruction device is for indicating described interest in the following manner: initiate with The communication of described base station, connects to set up to connect；During or after described connection establishment of connection, Send at least one message to described base station, the described of connection is connected at least one message described instruction Foundation is interested in MBMS in order to indicate.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of base station for communication system, described logical Communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, and described base station is wrapped Include: calling mechanism, for multiple mobile communication equipments being registered in described base station, wherein, at least One described mobile communication equipment works at the idling mode, under described idle pulley, and described shifting Dynamic communication equipment is registered in described base station, but does not have the connection connection to described base station；Receive dress Put, be used for receiving following instruction: the mistake that the number of mobile communication equipment is counted should be initiated Journey, described mobile communication equipment indicates receiving the MBMS specified interested and register To described base station；And instruction device, for indicating described finger to the plurality of mobile communication equipment The mark of fixed MBMS；Identify device, set from the plurality of mobile communication for identifying Any mobile communication equipment in Bei, interested in the described MBMS specified instruction； Wherein, the operation of described identification device described in work from idle pulley in the following manner to The instruction that few mobile communication equipment identification is interested in the described MBMS specified: with At least one mobile communication equipment described worked under idle pulley enters communication, to set up the company of connection Connect；During or after described connection establishment of connection, described in work at the idling mode to A few mobile communication equipment receives at least one message, and at least one message described connects for instruction The described foundation leading to connect is interested in order to indicate described MBMS；Determine that connection connects Described foundation be interested in order to indicate described MBMS；And identify described at least one The MBMS that individual message relates to；Compilation device, for having indicated institute being used for identifying The information of the number stating MBMS mobile communication equipment interested is compiled；And provide Device, has compiled information for providing to network entity, and the described information that compiled is for identifying Indicate the number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity for communication system, institute State communication system operation for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described net Network entity includes: receive device, for receiving for for specified from another network entity MBMS starts the request of MBMS session；Determine device, for it is determined that initiate finger Show that the number to receiving the described MBMS specified mobile communication equipment interested counts Process；Instruction device, for initiating instruction receiving institute to the instruction of at least one base station State the MBMS specified interested and be registered in the mobile communication of at least one base station described and set Standby described number carries out the process counted；Receive device, for connecing from least one base station described Receipts have indicated the number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS for identification Information, wherein, has indicated described in mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS Number includes: when initiating described counting process, at least one worked at the idling mode moves Communication equipment；Comparison means, for having indicated movement interested in described MBMS The described number of communication equipment is compared with predetermined threshold；Generator, for comparing finger described Show that the described number having indicated mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS is less than During described predetermined threshold, produce the response being used for starting the described request of MBMS session, wherein, Described response includes the institute having indicated mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS That states number initiates the instruction less than described predetermined threshold；And dispensing device, for described separately One network entity sends produced response.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity for communication system, institute State communication system operation for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described net Network entity comprises determining that device, for it is determined that initiate the MBMS specified instruction to reception Service the process that multiple mobile communication equipments interested carry out counting, the described MBMS clothes specified Business is current transmits via broadcast/multi broadcast；Instruction device, should for the instruction at least one base station This initiation to instruction to receive the described MBMS specified interested and described in being registered at least Multiple mobile communication equipments of one base station carry out the process counted；Receive device, for from described At least one base station receives and has indicated multiple shiftings interested in described MBMS for identification The information of dynamic communication equipment, wherein, has indicated the movement to described MBMS is interested to lead to The described number of letter equipment includes: when initiating described counting process, work at the idling mode At least one mobile communication equipment；Comparison means, for emerging to described MBMS sense by instruction The described number of the mobile communication equipment of interest is compared with predetermined threshold；Generator, in institute State to compare to indicate and indicated described in mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS When number is less than described predetermined threshold, produce the message for stopping the described MBMS session specified, Wherein, described response includes having indicated the mobile communication to described MBMS is interested to set Standby described number is less than the instruction of described predetermined threshold；Dispensing device, for real to another network Body sends produced message.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity for communication system, institute State communication system operation for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described net Network entity includes: dispensing device, for sending for for specified to the second network entity MBMS starts the request of MBMS session；Receive device, for real from described second network Body receives the response to the described request for starting MBMS session, and wherein, described response includes To having indicated the number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS less than predetermined threshold The instruction of value；And determine device, emerging to having indicated described MBMS sense for response The number of the mobile communication equipment of interest is less than the described instruction of predetermined threshold, and determining will be by unicast communication Transmit described MBMS.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity for communication system, institute State communication system operation for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described net Network entity includes: dispensing device, for sending for for specified to the second network entity MBMS starts the request of MBMS session；Receive device, for real from described second network Body receive for stop current the most by broadcast/multi broadcast transmit specified by MBMS Message, wherein, described message includes having indicated shifting interested in described MBMS The described number of dynamic communication equipment is less than the instruction of described predetermined threshold；And determine device, it is used for Respond having indicated the number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS less than pre- Determining the described instruction of threshold value, determining will be by unicast communication to transmit described MBMS.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of base station for communication system, described logical Communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, and described base station is wrapped Include: receive device, set up for setting to mobile communication via clean culture for receiving from network entity The request of the radio bearer of standby transmission MBMS；Generator, receives institute for response State the request setting up radio bearer, produce at described mobile communication equipment and be used for configuring described nothing The message of line electricity carrying, (such as, such as RRC connects the RRC information of reconfiguration message etc), To transmit described MBMS via clean culture；Dispensing device, for setting to described mobile communication Preparation is sent produced, described to transmit via clean culture for configuring described radio bearer The message of MBMS；Receive device, for from described mobile communication equipment receive to by Described mobile communication equipment configures described radio bearer to be come for via MBMS described in unicast reception (such as, such as RRC connects the RRC reconfiguring completion message etc to the message that service carries out indicating Message)；Generator, receives described by the configuration of described mobile communication equipment for response Radio bearer for the described message carrying out indicating via MBMS described in unicast reception, Generation is asked described in described MBMS to transmit for via clean culture setting up radio bearer The response asked；And dispensing device, for sending produced response to described network entity.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of mobile communication equipment for communication system, Described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described Mobile communication equipment includes: receive device, for receive from base station be used for configuring radio bearer with The message of described MBMS is transmitted via clean culture；Configuration device, receives use for response In the described message of the described radio bearer of configuration, configure described radio bearer for via list Broadcast and receive described MBMS；Generator, for producing by described mobile communication Equipment configures described radio bearer and refers to for receiving described MBMS via clean culture The message shown；And dispensing device, for sending produced message to described base station.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of mobile communication equipment for communication system, Described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described Mobile communication equipment comprises determining that device, is used for determining that to be available for described mobile communication equipment uses The mark of MBMS；Instruction device, for taking described MBMS to network entity instruction It is engaged in interested；Determine device, indicate described interest for determining control channel lacks The identifier of described MBMS；And instruction device, lack described identifier for response, Initiate to transmit the described MBMS having indicated described interest via unicast communication.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of mobile communication equipment for communication system, Described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described Mobile communication equipment comprises determining that device, for determining the mark wanting operational MBMS Know；Instruction device, for interested in described MBMS to network entity instruction；For really Surely control channel lacks the dress of the identifier of the described MBMS having indicated described interest Put；And apparatus for initiating, lack described identifier for response, initiate to pass via unicast communication Pass the described MBMS having indicated described interest.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of held by the mobile communication equipment of communication system The method of row, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) Service, described method includes: described mobile communication equipment is registered in base station；At the idling mode Work, under described idle pulley, described mobile communication equipment is registered in described base station, but does not has The connection having to described base station connects；Determine the mark wanting operational MBMS；And When described determine that device has determined to operational described MBMS time, indicate to described base station Described MBMS is interested in receiving；Wherein, it is in described sky when described mobile communication equipment During not busy pattern, described instruction step includes indicating described interest in the following manner: initiate with described The communication of base station, connects to set up to connect；During or after described connection establishment of connection, to Described base station sends at least one message, and at least one message described instruction is connected and built described in connection Vertical is interested in MBMS in order to indicate.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of method performed by the base station of communication system, Described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described Method includes: multiple mobile communication equipments are registered in described base station, wherein, described at least one Mobile communication equipment works at the idling mode, and under described idle pulley, described mobile communication sets For being registered in described base station, but not there is the connection connection to described base station；Instruction below receiving: Should initiate the process counting the number of mobile communication equipment, described mobile communication equipment refers to Show that the MBMS specifying reception is interested and is registered in described base station；And to described Multiple mobile communication equipments indicate the mark of the described MBMS specified；Identify from described many Any mobile communication equipment in individual mobile communication equipment, to the described MBMS sense specified The instruction of interest；Wherein, described identification step includes working from idle pulley in the following manner At least one mobile communication equipment identification MBMS to specifying described instruction interested: With work at the idling mode described at least one mobile communication equipment enter communicate, with foundation connect Lead to connect；During or after described connection establishment of connection, from the institute worked at the idling mode Stating at least one mobile communication equipment and receive at least one message, at least one message described is used for referring to Show that it is interested in order to indicate described MBMS for connecting the described foundation connected；Determine connection The described foundation connected is interested in order to indicate described MBMS；And described in identifying extremely The MBMS that few message relates to；To for identifying to have indicated, described MBMS is taken The information of number of mobile communication equipment interested of being engaged in is compiled；And provide to network entity Having compiled information, the described information that compiled has indicated described MBMS sense for identifying The number of the mobile communication equipment of interest.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity by communication system performs Method, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, Described method includes: receive from the beginning of for specified MBMS from another network entity The request of MBMS session；It is determined that initiate instruction receiving the described MBMS specified The number of mobile communication equipment interested carries out the process counted；To at least one base station, instruction should This initiation to instruction to receive the described MBMS specified interested and described in being registered at least The described number of the mobile communication equipment of one base station carries out the process counted；From described at least one Base station receives and has indicated mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS for identification The information of number, wherein, has indicated mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS Described number include: when initiate described counting process time, at least jobed at the idling mode Individual mobile communication equipment；Mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS will have been indicated Described number compared with predetermined threshold；Described compare to indicate indicated described When the described number of the mobile communication equipment that MBMS is interested is less than described predetermined threshold, produce The raw response to the described request for starting MBMS session, wherein, described response includes Through indicating the initiation of the described number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS to be less than The instruction of described predetermined threshold；And send produced response to another network entity described.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity by communication system performs Method, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, Described method comprises determining that the MBMS that initiate to specify instruction to reception is interested Multiple mobile communication equipments carry out the process counted, the current warp of the described MBMS specified Transmitted by broadcast/multi broadcast；Should initiate instruction receiving described appointment to the instruction of at least one base station MBMS interested and be registered in multiple mobile communication equipments of at least one base station described Carry out the process counted；Receive from least one base station described and indicated described for identification The information of multiple mobile communication equipments that MBMS is interested, wherein, has indicated described The described number of the mobile communication equipment that MBMS is interested includes: when initiating described counting Cheng Shi, at least one mobile communication equipment worked at the idling mode；By instruction to described MBMS Service the described number of mobile communication equipment interested compared with predetermined threshold；In described comparison Indicate and indicated the described number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS low When described predetermined threshold, generation is for stopping the message of the described MBMS session specified, wherein, Described response includes the institute having indicated mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS State the number instruction less than described predetermined threshold；And disappear to produced by the transmission of another network entity Breath.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity by communication system performs Method, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, Described method includes: send for starting for specified MBMS to the second network entity The request of MBMS session；Receive for starting MBMS session from described second network entity The response of described request, wherein, described response includes having indicated described MBMS sense The number of the mobile communication equipment of interest is less than the instruction of predetermined threshold；And response is to having indicated The number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS is less than the described finger of predetermined threshold Showing, determining will be by unicast communication to transmit described MBMS.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of network entity by communication system performs Method, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, Described network entity includes: send for for specified MBMS to the second network entity Start the request of MBMS session；Receive from described second network entity and be used for stopping currently leading to Crossing the message of the specified MBMS that broadcast/multi broadcast transmits, wherein, described message includes To having indicated the described number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS less than institute State the instruction of predetermined threshold；And response is to having indicated shifting interested in described MBMS The number of dynamic communication equipment, less than the described instruction of predetermined threshold, determines and to be transmitted by unicast communication Described MBMS.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of method performed by the base station of communication system, Described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service, described Method includes: receives from network entity and sets up for transmit to mobile communication equipment via clean culture The request of the radio bearer of MBMS；In response to receiving the described radio bearer set up Request, produces the message for configuring described radio bearer, (example at described mobile communication equipment As, such as RRC connects the RRC information of reconfiguration message etc), described to transmit via clean culture MBMS；To described mobile communication equipment send produced, be used for configuring described radio Carrying is with the message transmitting described MBMS via clean culture；Connect from described mobile communication equipment Receive being come for via unicast reception by the described mobile communication equipment described radio bearer of configuration Described MBMS carries out the message indicated, and (such as, such as RRC connection reconfigures completion message Etc RRC information)；Response receives described wireless by the configuration of described mobile communication equipment Electricity carrying is used for carrying out, via MBMS described in unicast reception, the described message that indicates, generation To set up radio bearer for via clean culture to transmit the described request of described MBMS Response；And send produced response to described network entity.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of held by the mobile communication equipment of communication system The method of row, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) Service, described method includes: receives from base station and is used for configuring radio bearer to pass via clean culture Pass the message of described MBMS；Response receives described for configuring described radio bearer Message, configure described radio bearer for via clean culture to receive described MBMS；Produce Raw to being connect for via clean culture by the described mobile communication equipment described radio bearer of configuration Receive the message that described MBMS carries out indicating；And produced message is sent to described base station.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of held by the mobile communication equipment of communication system The method of row, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) Service, described method comprises determining that and to be available for the MBMS that described mobile communication equipment uses Mark；Interested in described MBMS to network entity instruction；Determine in control channel and lack The identifier of few described MBMS having indicated described interest；And response lacks described Identifier, initiates to transmit the described MBMS clothes having indicated described interest via unicast communication Business.

According to a further aspect in the invention, it is provided that a kind of held by the mobile communication equipment of communication system The method of row, described communication system operation is used for transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) Service, described method comprises determining that the mark wanting operational MBMS；Real to network Body instruction is interested in described MBMS；Determine control channel lacks and it is indicated The identifier of the described MBMS of described interest；And response lacks described identifier, initiate The described MBMS having indicated described interest is transmitted via unicast communication.

Each aspect of the present invention expands to computer program, and such as on it, storage has the meter of instruction Calculation machine readable storage medium storing program for executing, this command operating for programmable processor is programmed to carry out more than The method described in each side illustrated and probability or mentioned in the claims, and/or programming Compatibly adaptive computer provides the equipment mentioned in any claim.

(this term includes claim) each spy openly and/or shown in accompanying drawing in the present note Levy and can be collectively incorporated into the present invention by the feature independently or disclosed with any other and/or illustrate In.Specifically but without limitation, can by various combinations or will be subordinated to individually concrete solely The feature of the claim of vertical claim is incorporated in these independent claims.

With reference to accompanying drawing, description of the invention is merely as example.

The text of the summary therewith submitted to is repeated, as part of the specification at this.At this In the illustrative aspects of invention, it is provided that described communication system, wherein, instruction docking is relied on Conquer the number of business mobile communication equipment interested to be less than and be also above broadcast threshold, by list Broadcast or broadcast/multi broadcast communication is to provide MBMS.Also disclose for interesting reception The number of the mobile communication equipment of MBMS carries out the development counted.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Now with reference to accompanying drawing, the most by way of example embodiments of the invention are described, In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows for providing multimedia broadcast/multi broadcast in a communications system with the form of simplification figure The schematic diagram of the framework of service (MBMS)；

Fig. 2 shows for providing unicast communication in the communication system of Fig. 1 with the form of simplification figure The schematic diagram of framework；

Fig. 3 is the simplification of the mobile communication equipment of the part forming the system shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Block diagram；

Fig. 4 is the simplified block diagram of the base station of the part forming the system shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2；

Fig. 5 is the multiple cell/multicast coordination entity of the part forming the system shown in Fig. 1 (MCE) simplified block diagram；

Fig. 6 is the Mobility Management Entity of the part forming the system shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 (MME) simplified block diagram；

Fig. 7 is the MBMS gateway (MBMS-GW) of the part forming the system shown in Fig. 1 Simplified block diagram；

Fig. 8 is the Broadcast-multicast services center of the part forming the system shown in Fig. 1 (BM-SC) simplified block diagram；

Fig. 9 is the composite services gateway/Packet Data Network of the part forming the system shown in Fig. 2 Network diagram closes the simplified block diagram of (SGW/PDN-GW)；

Figure 10 is the high-level flow of the process that signal is realized by communication system 1, and this process is used for leading to Cross clean culture and/or provide MBMS by broadcast/multi broadcast；

Figure 11 is the simplified timing diagram of the MBMS conversational services incipient stage of the process of signal Figure 10；

Figure 12 is the simplification sequential of the idle pulley part of the counting stage of the process in signal Figure 10 Figure；

Figure 13 is the simplification sequential of the connection pattern part of the counting stage of the process in signal Figure 10 Figure；

Figure 14 is the simplified timing diagram of the threshold value comparison phase of the process of signal Figure 10；

Figure 15 is the simplified timing diagram of the initiation part in the clean culture activation stage of the process of signal Figure 10；

Figure 16 is the simplified timing diagram of the another part in the clean culture activation stage of the process of signal Figure 10；

Figure 17 is the MBMS illustrating to activate the stage via the broadcast/multi broadcast of the process in Figure 10 Simplified timing diagram；

Figure 18 is to illustrate that the MBMS in the broadcast/multi broadcast deexcitation stage via the process in Figure 10 takes The simplification timing diagram of business；

Figure 19 is the possible modification of the idle pulley part of the counting stage of the process of signal Figure 10 Simplified timing diagram；

Figure 20 is another possible change of the idle pulley part of the counting stage of the process of signal Figure 10 The simplified timing diagram of type；

Figure 21 is the possible modification of the another part in the clean culture activation stage of the process of signal Figure 10 Simplified timing diagram；

Figure 22 is the simplified timing diagram of the possible modification in the clean culture activation stage of the process of signal Figure 10； And

When Figure 23 is the simplification of the possible modification in the broadcast/multi broadcast activation stage of the process of signal Figure 10 Sequence figure.

Detailed description of the invention

Summary

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each schematically shows the movement (honeycomb) for providing MBMS Communication system 1.Communication system 1 includes that subscriber equipment 3, subscriber equipment 3 include being serviced many by base station 5 Individual mobile communication equipment 3-1,3-2 (also referred herein as UE).In the present embodiment, base station 5 is LTE base station (also referred herein as " the node B of evolution " or " eNB "), LTE base station shape Become a part for the current techique radio access network (E-UTRAN) of evolution.Telecommunication system 1 is also Including core net 8, core net 8 includes the block core (EPC) of evolution, and EPC includes multiple function / logic entity.

Although for simplicity showing single base station 5 and two mobile communication equipments 3, E-UTRAN typically will include multiple base station 5, and each base station 5 can be to one or any number Mobile communication equipment 3 or other this communication equipments provide service.

MBMS transmission system framework

As shown in fig. 1, communication system 1 includes for transmitting multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) system architecture 1-1.For transmitting multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) System architecture 1-1 include multiple cell/multicast coordination entity of a part of forming E-UTRAN (MCE)7.MBMS transmission system framework 1-1 also include Mobility Management Entity (MME) 9, MBMS gateway (MBMS-GW) 10, Broadcast-multicast services center (BM-SC) 12, it is complete Portion forms a part for core net 8.Therefore, in operation, content supplier 13 can use system Framework 1-1 provides the content as MBMS, such as content of multimedia.

In the environment of MBMS transmission system framework 1-1, the base station 5 of E-UTRAN is responsible for effectively To the MBMS block transitive MBMS data specified.

Time/frequency resource on MCE 7 dispatch radio interface, and be responsible for coordinating multiple cell transmission, Wherein, the overlay area of concrete MBMS includes multiple base station 5.MCE 7 is logic entity, In the present embodiment, it separates physically with base station 5.MCE 7 is via controlling plane interface " M2 " communicates with base station 5, and communicates with MME 9 via another control plane interface " M3 ".

MME 9 is the control node of LTE access network, and at MBMS transmission system framework 1-1 In the environment of provide multiple MBMS support function, including MBMS carrying session control and via M3 interface sends (such as, session start and the session of session control message to the base station 5 of E-UTRAN Stop message).MME uses another interface " Sm " to communicate with MBMS-GW 10, via " Sm " Interface, MME9 receives MBMS and controls message and the ip multicast received for MBMS data Address.

MBMS-GW 10 takes on the entrance entering broadcast/multi broadcast data.MBMS-GW 10 is negative Blame the area of coverage to concrete MBMS (such as, MBMS SFN (MBSFN) to cover Region) in base station distribute the packet of this MBMS, for example by user plane The ip multicast distribution of the interface " M1 " the MBMS data packet to base station 5 is carried out.MBMS-GW 10 also realize MBMS session management (such as, by using session start and session to stop message). MBMS-GW 10 via user plane interface " SGi-mb " and control plane interface " SGmb " with BM-SC communicates.

BM-SC 12 is the source of MBMS, and provide for MBMS user service offer and pass The function passed.In the present embodiment, BM-SC 12 takes on the MBMS from content supplier 13 The entrance of transmission, can be used for authorizing and initiate MBMS carrying service in mobile network, with And it is used to the SGi-mb interface for MBMS data transmission and for controlling function SGmb interface is dispatched and transmits MBMS transmission.

Delivery of unicast system architecture

As shown in Figure 2, communication system 1 also includes that system architecture 1-2 for delivery of unicast is (at this In literary composition, also referred to as packet switch streaming services (PSS) framework).For delivery of unicast it is being System framework 1-2 in, core net 8 include MME 9, combination gateway and packet data network- Gateway (SGW/PDN-GW) 15, "Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 19 and ownership Subscriber server (HSS) 21.In operation, operator 23 can be via delivery of unicast system tray Structure 1-2 provides IP to service, such as, and IP Multimedia System (IMS) service and packet switched streaming Transmission (PSS) service.

In the environment of delivery of unicast system architecture 1-2, the base station 5 of E-UTRAN is responsible for moving to each Point-to-point radio bearer resource set up by dynamic communication equipment 3, and is responsible for transmitting data to it. E-UTRAN has control plane via logic interfacing " S1 " and core network communications, logic interfacing " S1 " Partly " S1-MME " and user plane part " S1-U ".

In the environment of delivery of unicast system architecture 1-2, MME 9 processes bearer management function, bag Include the base station 5 via E-UTRAN and the dedicated bearer of each mobile communication equipment 3 is set up control. MME 9 communicates with base station 5 via the control planar section (S1-MME) of S1 interface, and via The SGW section communication of another interface S11 Yu SGW/PDN-GW 15.MME is also via so-called " S6a " interface communicate with home subscriber servers (HSS) 21 for verify reservation that user accesses and Checking data.

SGW/PDN-GW 15 SGW part via S1 interface S1-U user plane part to The base station 5 routing packets number of E-UTRAN.SGW/PDN-GW 15 PDN-GW part to Mobile communication equipment 3 is provided for connection to the PSS server (not shown) of operator 3 offer Connectivity.The PDN-GW part of SGW/PDN-GW 15 is via another interface " SGi " and operator Network service.

PCRF 19 is strategy and charging control unit, its via corresponding " Gx " (or at framework Some versions in be " S7 ") and the PDN-GW part of " Rx " interface and SGW/PDN-GW 15 Network service with operator.

HSS 21 is that the service taking on the distinctive mandate of subscriber and IMS network is filed and in preference The NE of heart storage vault.

The adaptivity of system architecture

Each assembly of the communication system 1 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is adapted to allow for single mobile communication equipment Set up special radio access bearer (RAB), to use unicast communication to set to this mobile communication Standby 3 provide multimedia (MBMS) service.Specifically, packet switch streaming service (PSS) is used Agreement, it is achieved unicast communication, as the higher layer applications function of system architecture 1-2 shown in Fig. 2. When E-UTRAN being used for radio and accessing, RAB is referred to as E-RAB (EPS RAB).

When the number of mobile communication equipment 3 interested is (referred to herein as ' wide less than predetermined threshold Broadcast ' threshold value) time, communication system 1 uses unicast communication function to instruction to receiving MBMS Each mobile communication equipment 3 (referred to herein as " interested " mobile communication equipment) provides should MBMS.When the number of mobile communication equipment 3 interested is higher than broadcast threshold, then pass through Usual manner uses broadcast/multi broadcast communication to provide MBMS.

For the ease of carrying out and when should use clean culture and when broadcast/multi broadcast communication more properly has The accurate judgement closed, communication system 1 employs the mechanism of improvement, and the mechanism of this improvement is used for determining tool The number of mobile communication equipment 3 interested in the area of coverage of body MBMS.Counter mechanism is not only In view of having the mobile communication equipment 3 connecting dedicated radio link, but also in view of stand-by movement Communication equipment 3 (under idle pulley).This is by providing the idle pulley mobile communication equipment 3 can be through Indicated it that process that reception MBMS is interested is realized by it, can in order to determine broadcast/ Multi-casting communication the most suitably comes to count it, and can be in order to set up for providing interested The unicast bearer of MBMS and it is identified.

Therefore, during the number of user interested in the overlay area determining specific service, retouched The communication system 1 stated provides multiple benefit, including higher degree of accuracy.This so guarantee greatly to change Entered be used to determine when use for provide MBMS Web broadcast/Multicast function and The most do not use the judging process of Web broadcast/Multicast function for providing MBMS.Additionally, Communication system 1 additionally provides following mechanism: via this mechanism, mobile communication equipment 3 can receive MBMS, and interested with the covering being associated having indicated to receiving this MBMS The number of mobile communication equipment unrelated.Number in view of idle pulley mobile communication equipment 3 is also It is particularly advantageous, because compared with the user of the mobile communication equipment 3 connected, idle pulley communication sets The user of standby 3 can more likely want to receive concrete MBMS, such as, because the equipment of connection User be busy with carrying out audio call.

Mobile communication equipment

Fig. 3 schematically shows the primary clustering of the mobile communication equipment 3 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.As schemed Showing, mobile communication equipment includes that mobile phone 3, mobile phone 3 include transceiver circuitry 323, can Operation transceiver circuitry 323 via one or more antenna 325 send to base station 5 signal and from Base station 5 receives signal.As it can be seen, mobile phone 3 also includes that controller 327, controller 327 are controlled The operation of mobile phone 3 processed and be connected to transceiver circuitry 323 and be connected to speaker 329, wheat Gram wind 331, display 333 and keyboard 335.Controller 327 is soft according to be stored in memorizer 337 Part instruction operates.As it can be seen, wherein, these software instructions include operating system 339, RRC Module 341, application layer module 343.

RRC module 341 manages the reception of radio resource control signaling, the transmission communicated with base station 5 And explanation.RRC module 341 also controls the rrc layer function in mobile phone 3, and management is gone to and Signaling from application layer.Application layer module 343 controls the application level function of mobile phone 3, including Signaling to and from rrc layer.

Base station

Fig. 4 is the block diagram of the primary clustering of the base station 5 shown in schematic diagram 1 and Fig. 2.As it can be seen, Base station 5 includes transceiver circuitry 451, and operable transceiver circuitry 451 is via one or more Antenna 453 sends signal to mobile phone 3 and receives signal from mobile phone 3.Transceiver circuitry 451 are also coupled to MCE interface 405, SGW interface 407, MBMS-GW interface 408 and MME Interface 410.Each interface 405,407,408 and 410 has the correspondence indicated in Fig. 4 by bracket Logic interfacing (being sometimes referred to as reference point) M2, S1-U, M1 and S1-MME.

According to the software of storage in memorizer 459, the operation of transceiver circuitry 451 is by controller The control of 457.Wherein, software include operating system 461, communication module 419, RRC module 463, MBMS module 465 and RAB manages module 467.

Communication module 419 can be used to communicate with MCE 7 via MCE interface 405；Via SGW Interface 407 communicates with SGW/PDN-GW 15；Via MBNMS-GW interface 408 with MBMS-GW 10 communicates；And communicate with MME via MME interface 410.RRC module 463 Manage the reception of the radio resource control signaling communicated with base station 3, send and explain.MBMS Connecing of module 465 management and MCE 7 and the MBMS related news that communicate with MBMS-GW 10 Sending and receiving are sent and translate.RAB management module 469 management with SGW/PDN-GW 15 and with The E-RAB of MME 9 communication sets up the reception of related news, sends, translates and process.

Multiple cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE)

Fig. 5 shows have the transceiver circuitry being coupled to eNB interface 502 and MME interface 503 The MCE7 of 501.As shown in Figure 5 indicated by brackets, interface 502 and 503 has the logic of correspondence Interface (being sometimes referred to as reference point) M2 and M3.

There is provided controller 507 to be used for controlling transceiver circuitry 501, and be coupled to include software Memorizer 509, wherein, software includes that operating system 511, communication module 519 and MBMS manage mould Block 520.Communication module 519 operation is used for communicating with base station 5 via eNB interface 502, and via MME interface 503 communicates with MME.MBMS management module 520 cooperates with communication module 519, pipe Manage from go to MME 9 and from go to base station 5 MBMS related signaling reception and Send.MBSM related signaling include such as session control signaling and other session management signalings and Radio configuration for multiple cell transmission mode data.

Mobility Management Entity (MME)

Fig. 6 shows the MME 9 with transceiver circuitry 601, and transceiver circuitry 601 couples To eNB interface 602, MME interface 603, MCE interface 604, SGW interface 605, MBMS-GW Interface 608 and HSS interface 610.Indicated by bracket as in Fig. 6, each interface 602,603, 604,605,608,610 have correspondence logic interfacing (being sometimes referred to as reference point) S1-MME, S10, M3, S11, Sm and S6.

Offer is used for controlling transceiver circuitry 601, and controller 607 is coupled to include depositing of software Reservoir 609, wherein, software includes that operating system 611, communication module 619, MBMS manage module 620 and unicast management module 621.

Communication module 619 operation is for communicating with base station via eNB interface 602；Only have MME interface 603 communicate with other MME (not shown)；Communicate with MCE via MCE interface 604；Via The SGW section communication of SGW interface 605 and SGW/PDN-GW 15；Connect via MBMS-GW Mouth 608 communicates with MBMS-GW 10；And communicate with HSS 21 via HSS interface 610.

MBMS management module 620 cooperate with communication module 619, management from go to MCE 7 with And from the reception of MBMS related signaling and the transmission going to MBMS-GW 10.MBMS phase Close signaling such as to include: session start and session stop message and related signaling；Other MBMS Services control messages；And via MBMS-GW (Sm) interface 608 from MBMS-GW 10 The ip multicast address that the MBMS data sent receives.

Unicast management module 621 manages provides the clean culture to MBMS to mobile communication equipment 3 Transmission, including for each MBMS, to the radio being associated to mobile communication equipment 3 The foundation of access bearer and release.

MBMS gateway (MBMS-GW)

Fig. 7 shows the MBMS-GW 10 with transceiver circuitry 701, transceiver circuitry 701 are coupled to eNB interface 702, MME interface 705 and BM-SC interface 710.Each interface 702, 705,710 and 410 are had the counterlogic interface indicated by bracket in Fig. 7 and (are sometimes referred to as reference Point) M1, SGmb/SGi-mb and Sm.

Thering is provided controller 707 to be used for controlling transceiver circuitry 701, controller 707 is coupled to bag Including the memorizer 709 of software, wherein, software includes operating system 711, communication module 719 and MBMS Management module 720.Communication module 719 is operable as communicating with base station 5 via eNB interface 702, warp Communicated with MME by MME interface 705；And communicate with BM-SC via BM-SC interface 710.

For example by eNB (M1) interface 702, the MBMS data IP of packet of eNB 5 is multicast, MBMS management module 720 manages the MBMS data packet distribution to base station 3.MBMS manages mould Block 720 the most such as stops message and is responsible for MBMS by sending session start and session to MME 9 Session management.

Broadcast-multicast services center (BM-SC)

Fig. 8 shows the BM-SC 12 with transceiver circuitry 801, transceiver circuitry 801 coupling Close MBMS-GW 803 and content provider interface 810.It is right that MBMS-GW interface 803 has The logical user-plane interface SGi-mb answered and control plane interface SGmb (being sometimes referred to as reference point).

Thering is provided controller 807 to be used for controlling transceiver circuitry 801, controller 807 is coupled to include The memorizer 809 of software, wherein, software includes operating system 811, communication module 819 and MBMS Management module 820.

Communication module 819 operation is for user plane interface (SGi-mb) part via interface 803 With MBMS gateway communication MBMS data, and the control plane interface via interface 803 (SGmb) part carrys out Control on Communication signaling.Communication module 810 also can be used to carry via content Content is received from content supplier 13 for business's interface 810.

MBMS management module 820 manages the MBMS function of BM-SC 12, including initiating from interior The appearance MBMS of provider 13, user service offer and via user plane interface (SGi-mb) transmission MBMS data.MBMS management module 820 also processes MBMS carrying clothes The mandate of business and initiation and the scheduling of MBMS transmission.

Gateway/grouped data network gateway (SGW/PDN-GW)

Fig. 9 shows the SGW/PDN-GW 15 of the combination with transceiver circuitry 901, receives Sender circuit 901 is coupled to eNB interface 902, MME interface 903, carrier network interface 905 With PCRF interface 910.Each interface 902,903,905 and 910 is had in Fig. 9 and is indicated by bracket Counterlogic interface (being sometimes referred to as reference point) S1-U, S11, SGi and S7/Gx.

Thering is provided controller 907 to be used for controlling transceiver circuitry 901, controller 907 is coupled to include The memorizer 909 of software, wherein, software includes operating system 911, communication module 919, SGW Module 920 and PDN-GW module 921 and PSS management module 922.Communication module 919 can be grasped Act on and process the SGW related communication with base station 5 via eNB interface 902, and via MME The SGW related communication of interface 903 and MME 9.Communication module 919 also can be used to via operation Business's network interface 905 processes the PDN-GW related communication with carrier network, and via PCRF Interface 910 processes the PDN-GW related communication with PCRF 19.

SGW module 920 provides the function of the gateway part of SGW/PDN-GW 15, and PDN-GW module 921 provides the function of the PDN Gateway part of SGW/PDN-GW 15.PSS manages Reason module manages SGW/PDN-GW under the cooperation of SGW module 920 and PDN-GW module 921 The packet switch streaming service function of 15.

General introduction is provided via the MBMS of clean culture and/or broadcast/multi broadcast

Figure 10 shows the high-level flow of the process realized by communication system 1, and this process is used for depending on By the number of mobile communication equipment 3 interested in reception MBMS, by clean culture and/or logical Cross broadcast/multi broadcast and MBMS is optionally provided.

As shown in Figure 10, process starts from initiating new MBMS (S1), and this is to pass through BM-SC 12 asks to start to be associated via the MBMS-GW 10 for the concrete area of coverage MBMS session is carried out.Before initiating the MBMS session asked, carry out counting process Determine and indicate the mobile communication equipment 3 to receiving the MBMS asked interested (" interested Mobile communication equipment ") number (S2).Counting process includes being normally in idle pulley (S2a) Mobile communication equipment 3 and be in the mobile communication equipment (S2b) of connection (or " connecting ") pattern Count.The most the sum of the mobile communication equipment 3 interested in the area of coverage is carried out Counting, by this sum and predetermined threshold " t_BM" compare, higher than this threshold value, it is believed that via broadcast/ It is feasible (S3) that multicast provides MBMS.If it find that mobile communication interested sets The sum of standby 3 is less than threshold value " t_BM", then activate and set to each mobile communication interested via clean culture Standby 3 processes (S4) that MBMS is provided.Otherwise, if it find that mobile communication interested sets The sum of standby 3 is higher than threshold value " t_BM", then initiate via broadcast/multi broadcast to provide the mistake of MBMS Journey (S6).

Activate before including that RAB sets up process (S4b) via the process of the MBMS of clean culture Initiation process (S4a).Initiation process (S4a) relates to MCE via MME 9 and MBMS-GW 10 notice BM-SC 12 do not have enough mobile communication equipments 3 interested to ensure broadcast/multi broadcast Transmission.RAB sets up process (S4b) and relates to lead to each movement interested via clean culture Letter equipment 3 transmits the corresponding radio access bearer of MBMS.

After setting up the transmission via unicast or broadcast/multicast, periodically repeat counting and compare Process (S5-1/S5-2), to determine the mobile communication interested in the area of coverage of MBMS Whether the number of equipment 3 significantly changes.

When just via delivery of unicast MBMS, and determine the number of user interested Increase above threshold value t_BMTime, initiate the transmission (S6) via broadcast/multi broadcast.Otherwise, if feeling emerging The number of the user of interest keeps below threshold value t_BM, for receiving each shifting of MBMS Dynamic communication equipment 3 maintains the MBMS via clean culture to transmit, and for not yet receiving The mobile communication equipment 3 any interested of MBMS activates the MBMS via clean culture Transmission (S4).When just transmitting MBMS via broadcast/multi broadcast and determining user interested Number have already decreased to threshold value t_BMTime following, for be maintained in the area of coverage each is interested Mobile communication equipment 3, deexcitation (S7) is via the transmission of broadcast/multi broadcast, and activates (S6) Transmit via the MBMS of clean culture.Otherwise, if the number of user interested is maintained at threshold Value t_BMAbove, the MBMS via broadcast/multi broadcast is maintained to transmit.

There is the various ways of the different phase of the process that can realize Figure 10, including: with Scheme centered by network, wherein, network is initiated foundation and is used for using unicast communication to corresponding mobile Communication equipment provides each radio access bearer of MBMS；And so-called with UE be The scheme of the heart, wherein, each wishes that the mobile communication equipment receiving MBMS initiates to set up warp The radio bearer needed for MBMS is provided it by unicast communication.

The present embodiment uses network-centric scheme, and the program be will be described in further detail now.

Network-centric scheme

Figure 11 to 18 illustrates in greater detail the step (S1 to S7) of the process of Figure 10, according to currently Embodiment, this step for mobile communication equipment count, and for correspondingly via clean culture and/ Or broadcast/multi broadcast provides MBMS.In Figure 11 to 18, the process of signal is network-centric Scheme, wherein, network be responsible for initiate unicast communication foundation.

For simplicity, in Figure 11 is to 18, the action of MBMS-GW and BM-SC is merged.

(S1) MBMS conversational services starts

Figure 11 illustrates in greater detail MBMS conversational services incipient stage (S1) of process shown in Figure 10 Simplified timing diagram.

As shown in Figure 11, BM-SC 12 initiates the MBMS session via MBMS-GW 10. In order to ask to initiate MBMS, MBMS-GW 10 sends to MME 9 and effectively asks to initiate Ask for transmitting the MBMS session start of the broadcast/multi broadcast session of MBMS.MBMS meeting Talk about and start to ask to include the information (in other information) including herein below:

For identifying MBMS ID of the MBMS involved by request；

For identifying the MBMS session id of the MBMS session of MBMS to be used to provide for；

Identify the evolution of such as qos parameter (such as, end-to-end delay, bit error rate etc.) Grouping system (EPS) radio access bearer (RAB) quality of service information；

Identify MBMS session wherein can the MBMS in region (such as, community or community group) Service Area Identifier accords with；

Identification is from the ip multicast address of the IP address of its distribution MBMS data；And

IP source address.

MME 9 asks to MCE 7 transmitting MBMS session start.In the present embodiment, it is forwarded MBMS session start request include for notifying to MCE 7: can allow via broadcast/ Before the MBMS transmission of multicast, need mobile communication equipment 3 interested is counted. Asking accordingly, in response to MBMS session start, MCE 7 determines: relate to for MBMS ID And MBMS, it should initiate counting to mobile communication equipment 3 interested.

In order to initiate counting process, MCE 7 each base in the area of coverage (that is, MBSFN district) Stand 5 send MBMS Counting requests, with notify base station 5 should for identified MBMS clothes Business calculates.MBMS Counting requests includes: (MBMS takes the mark of MBMS Business ID) and MBMS device (MBMS device).

When receiving MBMS Counting requests, each base station 5 in the area of coverage provides it The mobile communication equipment 3 of service indicates requirement to carry out counting to receive MBMS.At the present embodiment In, base station 5 provides this instruction in system information, and system information is periodically set to mobile communication Standby broadcast.Then, mobile communication equipment 3 can determine that it is it will be clear that ground indicates it right to base station 5 Reception MBMS is interested.

(S2) mobile communication equipment interested in reception MBMS is counted

Figure 12 and 13 illustrates in greater detail the simplification sequential in the stage (S2) of process shown in Figure 10 Figure, this stage is for counting mobile communication equipment 3 interested in receiving concrete MBMS.

Specifically, Figure 12 shows that this process is for the mobile communication equipment 3 being in idle pulley Counting part (S2a), and Figure 13 show this process for connect mobile communication equipment 3 The part (S2b) of counting.

(S2a) idle mobile communication equipment counting

Find out as in Figure 12, in the present embodiment, after having initiated counting process, work as sky Mobile communication equipment 3 under not busy pattern to receive one or more MBMS interested time, move Dynamic communication equipment 3 initiates interim RRC connection by producing and send RRC connection request.Base station 5 Carry out by sending the RRC connection establishment message allowing mobile communication equipment 3 to set up RRC connection Response.When establishing connection, mobile communication equipment 3 produces and is successfully established RRC connection for instruction RRC connection setup complete message (include network ID and core net ID registered), and by it Send to base station 5.

But, in addition to network ID with core net ID registered, when request RRC connection establishment Time, mobile communication equipment 3 is by empty Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message (NAS information unit wherein There is the message of the length being arranged to 0) it is incorporated in RRC connection setup complete message.

Concurrently, (response phase (1) receives after being initiated counting process by base station 5 To MBMS Counting requests), base station 5 starts at the mobile communication equipment 3 serviced from it RRC signaling in monitor the existence of empty NAS message.It is incorporated with sky NAS message receiving During message, base station 5 determine base station 5 received from it the mobile communication equipment 3 of message in order to MBMS counting process and initiate RRC connect, therefore, in the present embodiment, base station 5 is further This connection is proceeded in network (such as, by produce other connection establishment message and by its to MME 9 sends).In this way, the present embodiment has the benefit reducing signaling.

In this stage, base station 5 has no knowledge about the mark of mobile communication equipment 3 MBMS interested Know, multiple be required for its MBMS carrying out counting because there may be.Therefore, base station 5 Wait other signalings from mobile communication equipment 3.

In order to notify to initiate, for it, the MBMS that interim RRC connects to base station 5, mobile logical Letter equipment 3 generation is incorporated with MBMS ID and (is used for identifying mobile communication equipment 3 reception interested MBMS) RRC MBMS Counting requests, and it is sent to base station 5.Can manage Solve, if mobile communication equipment 3 is to receiving in the MBMS carrying out counting process for it More than one MBMS interested, then mobile communication equipment 3 includes all interested MBMS.

When receiving RRC MBMS count report, base station 5 will identify the letter of mobile communication equipment 3 Ceasing the mark with MBMS to store explicitly, wherein base station 5 is from this mobile communication equipment 3 receive message, and mobile communication equipment 3 has indicated the interest to this MBMS.Logical Crossing which, when initiating MBMS, base station 5 compiling is in the mobile communication of idle pulley and sets " counting " list of standby 3, and do not require that setting up complete RRC connects.Then, base station 5 can lead to Cross and send RRC connection release message to discharge interim (and part) to mobile communication equipment 3 RRC connects.

(S2b) mobile communication equipment counting is connected

As shown in Figure 13, after having initiated counting process, when the movement being in connection pattern Communication equipment 3 to receive one or more MBMS interested time, mobile communication equipment 3 leads to Cross and send the RRC MBMS count report of the mark being incorporated with concrete MBMS as The part that the RRC set up connects, to indicate it interested in receiving this MBMS.

When receiving RRC MBMS count report, base station 5 will identify the letter of mobile communication equipment 3 Ceasing the mark with MBMS to store explicitly, wherein base station 5 is from this mobile communication equipment 3 receive message, and mobile communication equipment 3 has indicated this MBMS interested.Logical Crossing which, the mobile communication equipment 3 and any free time interested connected is connected, by having, in base station 5 Mode mobile communication device 3 is included together in in the count list of this MBMS.Base station 5 Need not discharge RRC in this case connect, because for other mesh connecting mobile communication equipment 3 , this RRC connects in use.

(S3) with the comparison of threshold value

When Figure 14 illustrates in greater detail the simplification of threshold value comparison phase (S3) of this process in Figure 10 Sequence figure.

As shown in Figure 14, it has been indicated at the mobile communication equipment 3 being provided service by base station 5 After interested in reception MBMS and base station 5 has arranged result in count list, (in the present embodiment, count results includes interested " count results " that base station 5 is generated The list of the identifier of mobile communication equipment 3), and it is incorporated into the MBMS relevant to list The MBMS counting response message that is associated of identifier (MBMS ID) in, and This MBMS counting response message is sent to MCE 7.

Owning in the area of coverage (such as, MBSFN district) of the MBMS relevant from message When base station 5 receives MBMS counting response message, MCE 7 determines mobile communication interested The sum of equipment 3 (include idle pulley with connect mode mobile communication device 3), and by result With predetermined broadcast threshold t_BMCompare.

(S4) via the MBMS-activation of clean culture

Figure 15 and Figure 16 illustrates in greater detail the MBMS during Figure 10 via clean culture The simplified timing diagram in activation stage (S4).Specifically, Figure 15 shows that clean culture activates the stage (S4) Initiation part, in this initiation part initiate delivery of unicast, and Figure 16 illustrate clean culture activate The another part in stage (S4), in this another part, sets up the radio for unicast communication Access bearer.

(S4a) process is initiated

As shown in Figure 15, mobile communication equipment interested is determined when the comparison performed by MCE The sum of (include idle pulley mobile communication equipment 3 with connect mobile communication equipment 3) is less than predetermined Broadcast threshold t_BMTime, MCE 7 produces diagnostic response message, and it is sent to MME 9.Examine Disconnected response message includes MBMS session start response message, and MBMS session start response message is also Enter the mark of its relevant MBMS and to indicate so-called " failure cause " be " interested The number of UE less than the threshold value of broadcast delivery " information.

MME 9 is to MBMS-GW 10 transmitting MBMS session start response message, MBMS-GW 10 and then notice BM-SC 12.Therefore, BM-SC 12 can determine: is used for foundation via list Broadcast the resource directly transmitting MBMS to each mobile communication equipment 3 interested.

Broadcast/multi broadcast is used to set up the MBMS session start sound that transmission is failed except sending instruction Answering outside message, MCE 7 sends the mobile communication interested for MBMS to MME 9 The list of equipment 3, so that MME 9 can ask each base station 5 to be set up provides service to base station 5 The radio bearer of each mobile communication equipment interested 3.Specifically, MCE 7 produces MBMS session information indicates, the instruction of MBMS session information be incorporated with the mark of MBMS with And the grouping system UE temporary mark (the interim ID of EPS UE) of evolution, the interim ID of EPS UE includes ID for each mobile communication equipment 3 interested.

(S4b) RAB that network is initiated sets up process

As shown in Figure 16, after sending the instruction of MBMS session information, MME 9 triggers foundation For providing the radio bearer of the delivery of unicast to MBMS.In the present embodiment, pass through E-UTRAN radio access bearer is set up in the request that sends to base station 5 on MME-S1 interface 602 The message of (E-RAB sets up request) initiates this process.Wherein, the E-RAB request of setting up includes: The identifier (E-RAB ID) of the E-RAB in foundation；EPS Radio access bearer service quality is believed Breath；It is incorporated with EPS bearer context and activates the NAS message of request；The mark of MBMS (MBMS ID)；And the ip multicast address of MBMS.

Give the credit to what existence received in asking from the radio access bearer foundation of MME 9 Ip multicast address, if being suitable for (such as, if do not performed before), pin for MBMS Mobile communication equipment 3 interested in each, base station 5 is able to carry out adding operation.Adding operation is Such a process below: by this joint operation, concrete user " add " concrete multicast group (or Become its member), such as indicate him/her to want to receive for concrete MBMS by user to network The Multicast mode data of carrying service.

Base station 5 produces and is incorporated to the mark (radio bearer ID) of radio bearer, MBMS The RRC of mark (MBMS ID) and NAS message connects reconfiguration message, and by it to shifting Dynamic communication equipment sends, to initiate the configuration to radio bearer at mobile communication equipment 3.Once Completing the configuration of radio bearer, mobile communication equipment 3 produces RRC connection and reconfigures completion message, And send to have indicated to base station 5 by it.

Part (S4b) is set up in order to complete the radio access bearer of clean culture activation process (S4), Base station 5 produces E-RAB and sets up response message, and it is sent to MME 9.E-RAB sets up and rings Message is answered to be incorporated on the S1 interface on the S1 interface in base station 5 and in MME 9 uniquely Ground identifies respective identifier (the MME UE S1AP ID and eNB UE S1AP of mobile communication equipment 3 And the mark (E-RAB ID) of E-UTRAN radio access bearer ID).

(S5-1/S6) (during clean culture is provided) is activated via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast

Figure 17 swashs via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast during illustrating in greater detail Figure 10 The simplified timing diagram in the stage of living (S6), is followed by mobile communication equipment 3 interested (idle And connect) the periodicity of number again count and the threshold ratio that is associated relatively (S5-1). Specifically, Figure 17 shows following situation: broadcast/multi broadcast activates the stage via delivery of unicast After MBMS, such as, the most again counting/compare (S5-1) has indicated sense emerging The number (idle with connect) of the mobile communication equipment 3 of interest has been raised to broadcast threshold t_BM On.

Via unicast transmission transmission service time, MME 9 provides instruction to MCE 7, so that MCE 7 knows and performs the week to mobile communication equipment interested for given MBMS Phase property counts again.Specifically, it is possible to use there is the special letter being referred to as " delivery of unicast is gone out " The MBMS session start request of breath.

As shown in Figure 17, shifting interested is indicated when periodically again counting/compare (S5-1) The number of dynamic communication equipment 3 has been raised to broadcast threshold t_BMOn time, MCE 7 initiate to via The offer of the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast.Transmitting via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast is to make (such as, the process defined in the current version of relevant 3GPP standard) set up with conventional process, Those skilled in the art are readily appreciated that this conventional process, and retouch the most in detail State.

In the present embodiment, after having been set up transmitting via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast (the MBMS session start instruction including MBMS can be used to indicate to MME 9), MME 9 initiates the direct list to the MBMS that clean culture is carried out to single mobile communication equipment 3 Broadcast the deexcitation of transmission.This is possible, because in the scheme that this is network-centric, and MME 9 advantageously which mobile communication equipment 3 have the unicast bearer for MBMS.

In the present embodiment, MME 9 (such as, is incorporated to by producing radio bearer releasing request For identifying the E-RAB release command of each radio access bearer to be discharged) and by it to base 5 transmissions of standing trigger the deexcitation of the direct delivery of unicast to MBMS.Response radio bearer Releasing request, base station 5 and each affected mobile communication equipment 3 cooperate, to discharge phase The MBMS of association transmits radio bearer, and after this, base station 5 is by having sent to MME 9 Become message (E-RAB has discharged) to completing to carry out affirmative acknowledgement.

(S5-2/S7) via the MBMS deexcitation of broadcast/multi broadcast

Figure 18 goes via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast during illustrating in greater detail Figure 10 The simplified timing diagram in activation stage (S7), is followed by mobile communication equipment 3 interested (empty Not busy and connect) the periodicity of number again count and the threshold ratio that is associated relatively (S5-2).Specifically, Figure 18 shows following situation: the broadcast/multi broadcast deexcitation stage (S7) At instruction mobile communication equipment interested 3 (idle with connect) from broadcast threshold t_BM On fall broadcast threshold t_BMUnder periodicity again count/compare (S5-2) after.

As shown in Figure 18, shifting interested is indicated when periodically again counting/compare (S5-2) The number of dynamic communication equipment 3 has fallen broadcast threshold t_BMUnder time, MCE 7 initiates via extensively The deexcitation of the MBMS broadcast/multicast.Transmitting via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast is to make With conventional process come deexcitation (such as, in the mistake defined in the current version of relevant 3GPP standard Journey), those skilled in the art are readily appreciated that this conventional process, and the most do not carry out in detail Thin description.

By MCE 7 use MBMS session stop request to MME 8 indicate to via broadcast/many The deexcitation of the MBMS transmission broadcast.MBMS session stops request and includes: instruction stops please The reason asked is the specific information of " number of UE interested is less than the threshold value for broadcast delivery " Unit, and include that the MBMS session information instruction of MBMS ID is with the interim IE's of EPS UE List.After deexcitation is transmitted via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast, MME 9 passes through (the weight of the direct delivery of unicast to MBMS is initiated to the clean culture of single mobile communication equipment 3 Newly) activate (such as, as it has been described above, activate the stage (S4) for the MBMS via clean culture).

Summary-network-centric scheme

Sum it up, therefore, network-centric scheme is used, right except from MCE 7 Outside the instruction of the mobile communication equipment 3 relevant interested of each MBMS, MME 9 also trigger the MBMS transmission via clean culture.MCE 7 effectively notify MME 9 when because of Number for mobile communication equipment 3 interested in some MBSFN districts in MBMS district is low And the broadcast/multi broadcast transmission of MBMS can not be set up.By ip multicast address and MBMS ID It is included in and sets up request from the radio bearer of MME 9 to LTE radio access network.Will MBMS ID is included in the radio of 3 from LTE radio access network to mobile communication equipment and holds Carry in the request of foundation.Thus, it is associated with via the MBMS of delivery of unicast by knowing Radio bearer, MME 9 can notified its deexcitation MBMS by MCE 7 Trigger during broadcast/multi broadcast transmission and discharge this carrying.

The modification of network-centric scheme-possible

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that existence can be to above-mentioned network-centric scheme The multiple possible modification carried out, the most still benefits from the invention being implemented within.Now will Multiple such modification is described the most by way of example, to illustrate that requirement to be depended on is adapted The motility of network plan, still provide same or analogous benefit simultaneously.

(S2a) idle mobile communication equipment counting-modification 1

Figure 19 shows the first of counting stage (S2) the idle mode part (S2a) of Figure 12 The simplified timing diagram of possible modification, this possibility modification can be used in further embodiment.

As shown in Figure 19, as it was previously stated, after having initiated counting process, work as idle pulley Under mobile communication equipment 3 to receive one or more MBMS interested time, mobile communication Equipment 3 initiates interim RRC connection by producing and send RRC connection request.Base station 5 is by sending out The RRC connection establishment message allowing mobile communication equipment 3 to set up RRC connection is sent to respond.? When establishing connection, mobile communication equipment 3 produces and is successfully established, for instruction, the RRC that RRC connects Connection setup complete message (includes network ID and core net ID registered), and sends to base station 5 Produced message.

Described in as in prior embodiments, in addition to network ID with core net ID registered, when During request RRC connection establishment, mobile communication equipment 3 by empty Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message ( Wherein NAS information unit has the message of the length being arranged to 0) to be incorporated into RRC connection establishment complete Become in message.

But, different from embodiment before, base station 5 does not monitor in RRC signaling that empty NAS disappears The existence of breath.On the contrary, base station is by producing initial UE message and to MME 9, it being sent general RRC connection regards as normal (the 3GPP standard according to current).Initial UE message be incorporated with for On S1 interface in base station 5, (eNB UE S1AP ID) uniquely identifies mobile communication equipment 3 Identifier (such as, application identifier), another " temporary identifier " (the interim ID of UE) and NAS message.However, it will be appreciated that, different, by this feelings from conventional initial UE message The NAS message that initial UE message under condition is carried is to have the sky of the NAS PDU being arranged to 0 NAS message.

In response to initial UE message, and more specifically, the empty NAS message carried by it, MME 9 in the present embodiment by producing context release message (UE S1 context release command) or another One suitable S1 message and by its to base station 5 send respond, because MME 9 can not locate The empty NAS message of reason.UE S1 context release command is incorporated to release cause be in initial UE message The middle instruction (" reason IE ") (reason IE=sky NAS message) that there is empty NAS message.Receiving During context release message, base station 5 infers that initial RRC connection request is in order to MBMS counts Process and send.

In this stage, base station has no knowledge about the mark of mobile communication equipment 3 MBMS interested Know, multiple be required for its MBMS carrying out counting because there may be.Therefore, base station 5 Wait other signalings from mobile communication equipment 3.

In order to notify to initiate, for it, the MBMS that interim RRC connects to base station 5, mobile logical Letter equipment 3 generation is incorporated with MBMS ID and (is used for identifying mobile communication equipment 3 reception interested MBMS) RRC MBMS Counting requests, and it is sent to base station 5.

When receiving RRC MBMS count report, base station 5 will identify the letter of mobile communication equipment 3 Ceasing the mark with MBMS to store explicitly, wherein base station 5 is from this mobile communication equipment 3 receive message, and mobile communication equipment 3 has indicated this MBMS interested.Logical Crossing which, when initiating MBMS, base station 5 compiling is in the mobile communication of idle pulley and sets " counting " list of standby 3, and do not require that setting up complete RRC connects.Then, base station 5 can lead to Cross and send RRC connection release message to discharge interim (and part) to mobile communication equipment 3 RRC connects.

Therefore, the present embodiment has following benefit: although increasing to cost with signaling consumption, its Avoid base station and be adapted to be the RRC connection request sheltering (screen) for empty NAS message Need.

(S2a) idle mobile communication equipment counting-modification 2

Figure 20 shows another of counting stage (S2) the idle mode part (S2a) of Figure 12 The simplified timing diagram of possible modification, this possibility modification can be used in further embodiment.

As shown in Figure 20, as it was previously stated, after having initiated counting process, work as idle pulley Under mobile communication equipment 3 to receive one or more MBMS interested time, mobile communication Equipment 3 initiates interim RRC connection by producing and send RRC connection request.Base station 5 is by sending out The RRC connection establishment message allowing mobile communication equipment 3 to set up RRC connection is sent to respond.? When establishing connection, mobile communication equipment 3 produces and is successfully established, for instruction, the RRC that RRC connects Connection setup complete message (includes network ID and core net ID registered), and sends to base station 5 Produced message.

Similar to embodiment before, that mobile communication equipment 3 includes network ID, registered core Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message of net ID and RRC connection setup complete message hollow.But, Different from embodiment before, mobile communication equipment 3 also includes MBMS count report, this MBMS Count report is incorporated with the MBMS for identifying mobile communication equipment 3 reception interested MBMS ID (or list of this ID).

When receiving RRC connection setup complete message, base station 5 identifies that being incorporated in RRC connection builds The MBMS listed in the MBMS count report stood, and determine RRC connection request Send for MBMS counting.

Additionally, because the mark of mobile communication equipment 3 MBMS interested is known in base station 5, Base station 5 is not necessarily intended to wait another signaling from mobile communication equipment 3.Thus, base station 5 can be by Identify that the information of mobile communication equipment 3 stores, wherein explicitly with the mark of MBMS Base station 5 receives message from this mobile communication equipment 3, and mobile communication equipment 3 has indicated this MBMS is interested.By which, when initiating MBMS, base station 5 compiling is in " counting " list of the mobile communication equipment 3 of idle pulley, and do not require that setting up complete RRC connects. Then, base station 5 can discharge face by sending RRC connection release message to mobile communication equipment 3 Time (and part) RRC connection.

It is therefoie, for example, by avoiding the needs sending any NAS message to EPS core net 8, This modification advantageously avoid the needs to other signalings considerable.

(S4b) RAB that network is initiated sets up process-modification

Figure 21 shows that the MBMS via clean culture of Figure 16 activates the network in the stage (S4) The RAB initiated sets up the simplified timing diagram of the possible modification of part (S4b), can be by this possibility Modification is in other embodiments.

As shown in Figure 21, similar to first embodiment, indicate it sending MBMS session information After, MME 9 triggers the radio bearer set up for providing the delivery of unicast to MBMS. But, different from first embodiment, in this modification, by producing for via SGW/PDN-GW Message (such as, bearing resource order or create conversation request) that the carrying of 15 is set up and to SGW/PDN-GW 15 sends produced message to start this process.Set up for triggering carrying Message be incorporated with suitable information, such as, such as the identifier of mobile communication equipment 3, (UE is permanent Property ID), the identifier of radio access bearer (linked EPS and carried ID), and access point mark Knowledge symbol (APN, such as, ip multicast address) and/or (MBMS) quality of service information.

Response receives for triggering the message that carrying is set up, and SGW/PDN-GW 15 is by with lower section Formula responds: (such as, the relevant 3GPP that will readily appreciate that according to those skilled in the art Defined in standard) conventional PSS process, produce the phase for setting up the carrying for clean culture process The response message of association.Then, send this message to MME 9, to allow MME 9 to coordinate residue Process.

MME 9 produces and sends to base station 5 request and sets up E-UTRAN radio access bearer The message of (E-RAB sets up request).Base station 5 produces the mark (radio being incorporated to radio bearer Carrying ID) and the RRC connection reconfiguration message of NAS message, and it is sent out to mobile communication equipment Send, to initiate the configuration to radio bearer at mobile communication equipment 3.Once complete radio to hold The configuration carried, mobile communication equipment 3 produces RRC connection and reconfigures completion message, and by it to base station 5 send to have indicated.

Therefore, in this modification, MME 9 is by service/PDN Gateway 15 rather than base station 5 Signaling triggers new bearing resource distribution.This modification has been advantageously employed the pass of traditional E PS framework Key feature uses PSS to provide clean culture, thus provides the backwards compatibility of improvement.

Scheme centered by UE

Figure 22 and 23 illustrates in greater detail the committed step of the process of Figure 10, according to another embodiment, This committed step is for counting mobile communication equipment, and for via clean culture and/or broadcast/many Broadcast and MBMS is provided.Process shown in Figure 22 and 23 is the scheme centered by UE, its In, mobile communication equipment 3 is responsible for initiating the foundation of unicast communication.

In the present embodiment, scheme centered by UE, MBMS conversational services incipient stage (S1), Counting stage (S2, S2a, S2b) and threshold value comparison phase (S3) substantially as above for Carry out to the first embodiment of Figure 11 to 14, although will be appreciated that, can be in other embodiments Use the modification of counting stage.

But, in the present embodiment, use the modification that clean culture is activated the stage (S4).

(S4) via the MBMS-activation (scheme centered by UE) of clean culture

Figure 22 illustrates in greater detail and realizes for the process in Figure 10, the scheme centered by UE, Clean culture activates the simplified timing diagram of the modification in stage (S4).

(S4a) initial procedure (scheme centered by UE)

As shown in Figure 22, mobile communication equipment 3 interested is determined when the comparison performed by MCE The sum of (mobile communication equipment 3 including idle pulley with connecting) is less than predetermined broadcast threshold t_BM Time, MCE 7 produces " unsuccessfully instruction " response message, and it is sent to MME 9.Diagnostic response Message indicates the trial setting up MBMS transmission via broadcast/clean culture to MME 9 effectively Failure.Response message includes MBMS session start response message, and MBMS session start rings Answer message to be incorporated with the mark of its relevant MBMS and instruction failure cause is " interested The number of UE less than the threshold value of broadcast delivery " information.

MME 9 is to MBMS-GW 10 transmitting MBMS session start response message, MBMS-GW 10 and then notice BM-SC 12.In the present embodiment, BM-SC determines use PSS framework 1-2 Set up the resource of delivery of unicast for setting up MBMS.

In this stage, different from embodiment before, network do not initiate the biography of MBMS Pass, but initiated by each mobile communication equipment 3 of hope reception MBMS.

(S4b) Client-initiated RAB sets up process (scheme centered by UE)

In the present embodiment, each mobile communication equipment interested in receiving concrete MBMS 3 by monitor in MBMS Control Channel correspondence MBMS ID monitor via broadcast/many The foundation of the MBMS transmission broadcast.

When MBMS is unavailable, the rrc layer of mobile communication equipment 3 is in counting process Detect during stopping and lacking desired MBMS ID on control channel, and to application layer signal Notify that this lacks.

When receiving the instruction non-existent to MBMS ID from radio layer, mobile logical Application layer in letter equipment 3 uses conventional (described in such as, relevant 3GPP standard) biography System mechanism is initiated to set up the radio bearer for the delivery of unicast serviced via PSS framework 1-2.

(S5-1/S6) via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast activate (providing during clean culture-with Scheme centered by UE)

Figure 23 illustrates in greater detail and realizes for the process in Figure 10, the scheme centered by UE, MBMS via broadcast/multi broadcast activates the simplified timing diagram in stage (S6).To interested The periodicity of number of mobile communication equipment 3 (idle with connect) again count and be associated Threshold ratio relatively (S5-1) after, illustrate the activation stage (S6).Specifically, Figure 23 shows Following situation: broadcast/multi broadcast activate the stage after via delivery of unicast MBMS, such as, Periodically again count/compare (S5-1) and indicated the number of mobile communication equipment 3 interested Mesh (idle with connect) has been raised to broadcast threshold t_BMOn.

As shown in Figure 23, shifting interested is indicated when periodically again counting/compare (S5-1) The number of dynamic communication equipment 3 has been raised to broadcast threshold t_BMOn time, MCE 7 indicates via extensively Broadcasting/multicasting provides MBMS.Transmitting via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast is often to use (such as, the process defined in the current version of relevant 3GPP standard) that rule process is set up, Those skilled in the art are readily appreciated that this conventional process, and retouch the most in detail State.

But, different from network-centric scheme, having been set up via broadcast/multi broadcast After MBMS transmission, MME 9 does not initiates clean culture to single mobile communication equipment 3 The deexcitation of the direct delivery of unicast of MBMS, because MME 9 does not knows those mobile communication Equipment 3 has the unicast bearer set up.Therefore, pass with the MBMS via broadcast/multi broadcast Pass simultaneously, continue on through by list via the mobile communication equipment 3 of unicast reception to MBMS Broadcast reception.

(S5-2/S7) via the MBMS deexcitation (side centered by UE of broadcast/multi broadcast Case)

Mobile communication equipment 3 interested is indicated when periodically again counting/compare (S5-2) Number has fallen broadcast threshold t_BMUnder time, MCE 7 initiates the MBMS via broadcast/multi broadcast The deexcitation of service.Transmitting via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast is to use conventional process to deactivate (such as, the process defined in the current version of relevant 3GPP standard) lived, art technology Personnel are readily appreciated that this conventional process.

After deexcitation is transmitted via the MBMS of broadcast/multi broadcast, mobile communication equipment The rrc layer of 3 detects and lacks MBMS ID in MBMS Control Channel, and according to UE is The scheme at center, sends out as described above for activating the stage (S4) via the MBMS of clean culture (again) of playing delivery of unicast is activated.

Summary-scheme centered by UE

Therefore, sum it up, in the scheme centered by UE, if mobile communication equipment 3 Radio layer detects following any one: counting process terminates and not yet starts via broadcast/multi broadcast Service delivery；Or via broadcast/multi broadcast transmission before no longer transmitting via broadcast/multi broadcast Service；Then provide instruction mobile communication equipment 3 should use traditional mechanism from radio layer to application layer Carry out the instruction via unicast reception service.Mobile communication equipment 3 via unicast reception MBMS In application layer can indicate to the radio layer of mobile communication equipment 3 and receive, so that mobile logical Letter equipment 3 can be to MBMS counting interested.Then, when broadcast is available, mobile logical The radio layer of letter equipment 3 correspondingly indicates to application layer, and then application layer can use UE The NAS EPS bearer context deactivation process asked is carried out deexcitation and is taken via the MBMS of clean culture Business transmission.

Scheme centered by UE provides benefit at the aspect that affects of the realization reduced on network, and And provide the backward compatibility of improvement with legacy system.

Other amendments are with alternative

It is described above multiple specific embodiment and modification.It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that Above example and modification can be carried out multiple amendment and alternative, simultaneously still from being implemented within Invention in benefit.

It is appreciated that, although a lot of logics of communication system architecture 1-1 and 1-2/functional entity is described For physically separated entity, two or more in this entity can be combined at single entity In.Such as, if MCE 7 is controlling a base station, it is provided that MCE 7 is as base station 5 A part, in this case, M2 interface will be the internal logic interface in base station 5.But, It is said that in general, when MCE 7 controls more than one base station, M2 interface will remain (for it His base station) visible.It is likewise possible to provide the some or all of functions of single entity to be used as Physically separated entity.Such as, SGW and PDN-GW need not be combined, and can be divided You can well imagine and supply.

It is appreciated that, although Figure 20 shows the sky being inserted in RRC connection setup complete message Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message, this NAS message needs not be null message, but can be repaiied Change any applicable value into, because the existence of MBMS list be enough to indicate connects sending out of connection Rise and be used to counting.

It is appreciated that, although in above embodiment, advantageously will identify that movement interested is led to The information of the number of letter equipment is provided as identifying the list of the information of each equipment interested.Permissible This information is provided as by counting process the number of the mobile communication equipment interested counted is entered The value (such as, accumulated total) that row represents.

In the embodiment above, telecommunication system based on mobile phone is described.People in the art Member is it will be appreciated that the signaling technology described in this application can be applied in other communication systems. Other communication node or equipment can include subscriber equipment, such as, such as personal digital assistant, knee joint Laptop computer, web browser etc..

It is appreciated that, although in above embodiment, provides in MBMS session start is asked Broadcast/multi broadcast is used to need before transmitting MBMS for making MCE 7 know in judgement This letter can be provided by other means to the information of mobile communication equipment 3 counting interested Breath.For example, it is possible to used OAM (Operations, Administration and Maintenance) signaling prewired by Virtual network operator Put MCE 7 and perform the counting for all or specific MBMS, to provide this information in advance. Furthermore, it is to be understood that (RRC) letter can be controlled via the dedicated radio resource from base station 5 Order provides the following instruction to mobile communication equipment 3 to each mobile communication equipment 3: be required for Concrete MBMS counts, and wherein, base station 5 provides service to mobile communication equipment 3.

In the above-described embodiments, each entity shown in Fig. 3 to 9 is described as each including transmitting-receiving The dynamo-electric road of letter.Generally, this circuit will be formed by special hardware circuit.But, in some embodiments In, a part for transceiver circuitry can be embodied as the software run by corresponding controller.

Describe multiple software module in the embodiment above.It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that Can by compiling or decomplier form provide software module, or can using software module as Any entity in each entity that signal on computer network is illustrated in Fig. 3 is to 9 provides, or Person provides software module on the recording medium.In addition it is possible to use one or more specialized hardwares are electric Road performs part or all of this software.But, use software module be preferably as It is easy to the renewal carried out this each entity to update the function of each entity.

Those skilled in the art be will be apparent from by other amendments various, and will not carry out at this More detailed description.

UK Patent Application No.1018855.5 that the application submitted to based on November 8th, 2010 is also wanted Seek the rights and interests of its priority, the disclosure of this patent application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Claims

1., for a mobile communication equipment for communication system, described communication system operation is at bag Include transmission mobility broadcast/multicast service MBMS in the area of coverage of multiple base station, described movement Communication equipment includes:

Calling mechanism, for being registered in described mobile communication equipment in the described area of coverage；

Idle mode operation device, for working at the idling mode, under described idle pulley, Described mobile communication equipment is registered in the described area of coverage, but the base station not having to the described area of coverage RRC connect；

Determine device, for determine will in the described area of coverage mark of operational MBMS Know；And

Instruction device, when described determine device it has been determined that described MBMS want available time, use In interested in receiving described MBMS to the instruction of described base station；

Wherein, when described mobile communication equipment is in described idle pulley, described instruction device is grasped Act on and indicate described interest in the following manner:

Initiate the communication with described base station, to set up RRC connection；

When setting up described RRC and connecting, send at least one message to described base station, described at least The described foundation of one message instruction RRC connection is interested in MBMS in order to indicate.

Mobile communication equipment the most according to claim 1, wherein, described for indicating RRC Connect described foundation in order to indicate to MBMS interested described at least one message bag Include: be incorporated to the message of the mark of described MBMS involved by described interest.

Mobile communication equipment the most according to claim 2, wherein, is incorporated to described MBMS At least one message described of mark include: described mobile communication equipment is just indicating interested in it The list of MBMS.

4. according to the mobile communication equipment described in Claims 2 or 3, wherein, it is incorporated to described MBMS The described message of the mark of service includes: radio resource controls RRC information.

Mobile communication equipment the most according to claim 1, also includes: receive device, when whole Before individual described communication system completely sets up described RRC connection, use for receiving from described base station Discharge the message that described RRC connects.

6., for a base station for communication system, described communication system operation is for including multiple base Stand and include that the area of coverage of described base station is interior and transmit mobility broadcast/multicast service MBMS, institute State base station to include:

Calling mechanism, includes covering described in described base station for being registered in by multiple mobile communication equipments In cover region, wherein, at least one described mobile communication equipment works at the idling mode, described Under idle pulley, described mobile communication equipment is registered in the described area of coverage, but does not have to described The RRC of base station connects；

Receive device, be used for receiving following instruction: should initiate the number of mobile communication equipment is entered The process of row counting, described mobile communication equipment indicates receiving the MBMS sense specified emerging Interest and be registered in the described area of coverage；And

Instruction device, for the described MBMS clothes specified of the plurality of mobile communication equipment instruction The mark of business；

Identify device, for identifying from any mobile communication in the plurality of mobile communication equipment Equipment, interested in the described MBMS specified instruction；

Wherein, the operation of described identification device is for the institute worked from idle pulley in the following manner State the instruction that at least one mobile communication equipment identification is interested in the described MBMS specified:

With work at the idling mode described at least one mobile communication equipment enter communicate, To set up RRC connection；

When setting up described RRC and connecting, described in work at the idling mode at least one Mobile communication equipment receives at least one message, and at least one message described is used for indicating RRC The described foundation connected is interested in order to indicate described MBMS；

Determine that the described foundation that RRC connects is emerging in order to indicate described MBMS sense Interest；And

Identify described described MBMS involved by least one message；

Compilation device, for be used for identify indicated described MBMS interested The information of the number of mobile communication equipment is compiled；And

Thering is provided device, compiled information for providing to network entity, the described information that compiled is used for Identify the number having indicated mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS.

Base station the most according to claim 6, wherein, for the described foundation indicating RRC to connect In order to indicate to MBMS interested described at least one message include: be incorporated to described emerging The message of the mark of the described MBMS involved by interest.

Base station the most according to claim 7, wherein, is incorporated to the mark of described MBMS Described message includes: described mobile communication equipment is just indicating the row of MBMS interested in it Table.

9. according to the base station described in claim 7 or 8, wherein, it is incorporated to the mark of described MBMS The described message known includes: radio resource controls RRC information.

Base station the most according to claim 6, also includes: dispensing device, for from Its at least one mobile communication equipment described receiving at least one message described sends for following The message of operation: response recognize with from least one moves described in working at the idling mode The described MBMS that at least one message described of communication equipment is relevant, discharges described RRC even Connect.

11. base stations according to claim 6, wherein, the described information that compiled includes Indicate described mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS or each mobile communication sets The standby list being identified.

12. base stations according to claim 6, wherein, the described information that compiled includes Indicate the value that the number of mobile communication equipment interested in described MBMS indicates.

13. base stations according to claim 6, wherein, provide it described in compiled information Described network entity includes multiple cell/multicast coordination entity MCE.

14. 1 kinds of methods performed by the mobile communication equipment of communication system, described communication system operation For transmitting mobility broadcast/multicast service MBMS in the area of coverage including multiple base station, Described method includes:

Described mobile communication equipment is registered in the described area of coverage；

Working at the idling mode, under described idle pulley, described mobile communication equipment is registered in In the described area of coverage, but the RRC without the base station to the described area of coverage connects；

Determine will in the described area of coverage mark of operational MBMS；And

When described determine device it has been determined that described MBMS want available time, refer to described base station Show receiving described MBMS interested；

Wherein, when described mobile communication equipment is in described idle pulley, described instruction step bag Include and indicate described interest in the following manner:

When setting up described RRC and connecting, send at least one message to described base station, described At least one message is to indicate MBMS for the described foundation indicating RRC to connect Service interested.

15. 1 kinds of methods performed by the base station of communication system, described communication system operation is at bag Include multiple base station and include the area of coverage interior transmission mobility broadcast/multicast service of described base station MBMS, described method includes:

Multiple mobile communication equipments are registered in the described area of coverage including described base station, wherein, At least one described mobile communication equipment works at the idling mode, under described idle pulley, and institute State mobile communication equipment to be registered in the described area of coverage, but not there is the RRC connection to described base station；

Receive following instruction: the process that the number of mobile communication equipment is counted should be initiated, Described mobile communication equipment indicates receiving the MBMS specified interested and be registered in institute State in the area of coverage；And

The mark of the described MBMS specified is indicated to the plurality of mobile communication equipment；

Identify from any mobile communication equipment in the plurality of mobile communication equipment, to described The instruction that the MBMS specified is interested；

Wherein, described identification step include working from idle pulley in the following manner described in The instruction that few mobile communication equipment identification MBMS to specifying is interested:

Determine that the described foundation that RRC connects is interested in order to indicate described MBMS；With And

Identify the MBMS that at least one message described relates to；

Multiple mobile communication interested in described MBMS have been indicated to being used for identifying The information of the number of equipment is compiled；And

Thering is provided to network entity and compiled information, the described information that compiled has indicated for identifying The number of multiple mobile communication equipments interested in described MBMS.